The Number 1 isn't exactly a deeply rooted tradition in the sport anyway, I can't blame any driver that would rather pursue branding (especially if you're #LH44) over what essentially amounts to bragging rights.

I think if I was considering having a bet it would be on Mercedes, probably Hamilton considering his recent form. Seem to be the best at developing a car throughout the season as well so even if like last year we get 2 teams very close on race pace Mercedes has a good chance at out developing them throughout the year.

Obviously I'd love to see 3 or 4 teams fighting for the title but I can't see it happening till the new engine regulations come into play, even then Mercedes could be the dominant force once more.

It kinda was for a long time, only in those last few years did it seem to lose prestige, i think one of the reasons was that the numbers in general had been shrunk to such an extent by the teams (especially Red Bull) that hardly anyone could actually see them (also one of the main reasons why they forced the teams to start using big ones again).

Great opertunity for the grid kids, getting to be around a team for the race would be an exciting opportunity for anyone! Still don't get what the whole controversy was about grid girls mind as it was a job for them and the viewers barely saw them anyway but that's just my very short simplistic take on the matter.

It kinda was for a long time, only in those last few years did it seem to lose prestige, i think one of the reasons was that the numbers in general had been shrunk to such an extent by the teams (especially Red Bull) that hardly anyone could actually see them (also one of the main reasons why they forced the teams to start using big ones again).

I mean "1973 to 2014 except in 1974, 1993 and 1994" hardly seems sacrosanct. I definitely think Lewis' 44 totally iconic in its own right at this point. I also think retiring number 17 is a pretty powerful gesture.

Grid Kids is a good idea. Wish they'd use it as an opportunity to make sick and disabled kids' dreams come true though, instead it's gonna just be a bunch of rich kids whose parents bought their way into motorsports.

That must surely be easier for the drivers to see through than the halo.

I can imagine it now, one driver drives into a back of another because the halo meant he couldn't see properly ahead.

On a separate note, i recorded this a couple of years ago but obviously have never posted it here, it is a video of my F1 autograph collection (Part 1 of 2) which i've been building up since the mid 1990's, i hope you find it interesting...

From the looks of it should offer better visibility for the drivers, although when Vettel tested a similar concept at Silverstone I'm sure he said it made him feel dizzy or something. Obviously I dare say they could have worked out ways to get around this and persevered with the much nicer looking option, even if it took a year or two longer. While they've tested the Halo on cars and for loads it can withstand it still feels a little bit rushed, dare say I will get used to it much like with the step noses and extended noses seen between 2013-14.

I thought the same about the stepped noses of 2013, although the Halo is much more in your face than those. I'd like to see them adapt the areoscreen, thought the one Red Bull tested looked great as well, all in all the Halo feels slightly rushed through to show that they're reacting to incidents seen in the past.

Vermilion wrote:That must surely be easier for the drivers to see through than the halo.

I can imagine it now, one driver drives into a back of another because the halo meant he couldn't see properly ahead.

On a separate note, i recorded this a couple of years ago but obviously have never posted it here, it is a video of my F1 autograph collection (Part 1 of 2) which i've been building up since the mid 1990's, i hope you find it interesting...